Molecular detection of respiratory pathogens in isolates from two hospitals in Egypt using a microarray chip

Respiratory tract infection is one of the most commonly spread communicable diseases. Among the causative organisms, bacteria are the most common causes of serious disease and deaths. A total of 32 samples were taken from Mansoura Lung Diseases Hospital and Kafr El-Sheikh General Diseases Hospital, in addition to 5 control samples were screened for the presence of different pathogens. In a total of 32 diseased samples, by PCR method, in Mansoura Lung Diseases Hospital, Hemophilus influenzae was detected in 2 samples, in addition to Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis which were detected in 7 and 7 samples respectively. Mixed microbial infections were detected in 4 samples identified mainly as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, in Kafr El-Sheikh General Diseases Hospital, Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected in 8 and 8 isolates respectively. Mixed microbial infections were detected in 7 samples identified mainly as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. DNA chip for pathogen detection indicated 100% matching with the test performed by PCR. Control samples were free from any pathogen. These results demonstrate variable results with respect to the geographical distribution and the possibility for fast identification of respiratory pathogens even in mixed culture in very short time.